11/26/2025
Interesting article on turkeys from the SCDNR website:
Here are some “Turkey Trivia Tidbits” to contemplate during this season of Thanksgiving:
North American wild turkeys have five sub-species: Eastern (found here in South Carolina), Osceola, Rio Grande, Merriam’s, and Gould’s.
An adult wild turkey has about 5,500 feathers, including 18 tail feathers that make up the male's distinct fan.
Wild turkeys can fly and have a top flight speed of about 55 miles per hour.
Wild turkeys can fly and have a top flight speed of about 55 miles per hour.
Wild turkeys see in color and have excellent daytime vision, three times better than a human's eyesight, with a visual field of more than 270 degrees.
The wild turkey is an omnivore. It feeds on acorns, nuts, seeds, berries, greens as well as insects, small amphibians and reptiles.
Turkey droppings tell a bird’s s*x. Male droppings are j-shaped; female droppings are spiral-shaped.
The male turkey’s head can be red, white, blue or a combination of all three. The wild turkey's bald head and fleshy facial wattles can change color with excitement in seconds.
The flap of skin that hangs down over a turkey's bill is called a snood and can change color, size, and shape based on mood and activities.
Adult male turkeys are called toms, and females are called hens. Very young wild turkeys are called poults, juvenile males are jakes, and juvenile females are jennies. A group of turkeys is called a rafter or a flock.
Regardless of what you think of when you hear the word "turkey," we hope you have a healthy and happy Thanksgiving this year!
